Set in 1981, the Empire is a fictional Margate cinema. The key characters are Hilary (Olivia Colman) - depressed, middle-aged and lonely - and Stephen (Micheal Ward) - a young black man facing the daily trauma of a racist England. They both work at the cinema.
Mendes both directed the film and wrote the screenplay. He’s apparently described it as a tribute to his own mother (but I’m not sure if this relates to her mental health or her love of cinema?). The Empire cinema is one of those beautiful Art Deco buildings that has seen better days. Cinema attendance had declined markedly; the Empire used to have four screens, but now uses only two.
It’s a wonderfully acted drama about love, life and films. Colman and Ward are excellent (Colman is outstandingly good) – as is Toby Jones as the dedicated projectionist Norman.
I found it a hugely impressive, heartfelt film (and beautifully shot by Roger Deakins) and yet I came away feeling that there had been just too many storylines (Hilary’s mental health; Stephen’s racist experiences; the sexual demands of the self-important, pompous cinema manager (Colin Firth); the Empire as the venue hosting the regional premier of ‘Chariots of Fire’; England’s widespread racism; the uplifting cinema-going experience; the romance of films; the UK’s struggling film industry).
Nevertheless, I think you should see it – if only for the cinematography and Colman’s wonderful performance.
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